Need Advice on Which Courses to Take

[tsg14]

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Hi all,

I am currently a freshman at Pitt studying pre-pharmacy (unconditional). I want to apply to as many pharmacy schools as I can for Fall 2014. However, because all pharmacy schools have different requirements, it's becoming hard to figure out which courses I need to take.

Course work I have completed (including this semester):

AP histories - 9 credits
Chem 1&2 (w/lab) - 8 credits
Bio 1&2 (w/lab) - 8 credits
EngCmp - 3 credits
Anatomy/physiology 1&2 (CHS) - 8 credits
Business Calc - 4 credits
Calc 1 - 4 credits
Psychology - 3 credits
Physical Anthropology - 3 credits

Next year I will take:

O Chem(w/lab) - 8 credits
Stat - 4 credits
Micro econ - 3 credits
Public speaking - 3 credits
Philosophy - 3 credits
Eng/Lit course - 3 credits

This is the minimum coursework I need to take next year to be able to apply to Pitt (my number 1 choice). I have room for about 6 credits.

If it helps my current gpa is 3.65 and will most likely be ~3.8 by the end of this semester. I currently volunteer 4 hrs/week at UPMC pharmacy and have not yet taken the PCATs.

My questions for you guys are:
What other courses should I take to be able to apply to other close schools? I can fit physics 1 and apply to LECOM but should I be okay with applying to just Pitt and LECOM? Or should I squeeze in physics 2 and physics lab at a probable cost to my gpa and happiness? Do I need to take summer courses? What do you recommend?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! 🙂

 

[JohnFe]

You should definitely take summer courses if you want to take as much pre-reqs done and apply to more schools. Year by year, it is getting very competitive since a lot of people are applying with their BS/BA.

Class suggestions:
Physics (like you mentioned)
Microbiology (I think most require this)
Biochemistry (Upper division, it looks good on your app if you don't have a degree)
Cell and Molecular Biology (Upper division, required by some schools and it looks good on your app)

 

[riggylou]

You should definitely take summer courses if you want to take as much pre-reqs done and apply to more schools. Year by year, it is getting very competitive since a lot of people are applying with their BS/BA.

Class suggestions:
Physics (like you mentioned)
Microbiology (I think most require this)
Biochemistry (Upper division, it looks good on your app if you don't have a degree)
Cell and Molecular Biology (Upper division, required by some schools and it looks good on your app)

Agree with these...also, calculus II opens up more schools to apply to. Personally, I didn't take it. And, OP, like you said..taking both physics I and II will likely be a cost to your GPA and happiness , but plenty of schools want the whole sequence.